New Year, New Planner

Every year, what seems like half of America makes resolutions that might hopefully change their lives for the better come January 1, 20__. Most drop these by the end of the week, and the rest drop them by the end of the month, leaving a small percentage of people who actually succeed in maintaining a lifestyle that is now one resolution better, healthier, and happier. What makes that difference?

Well, for starters, the first step is to set a realistic goal. If your favorite food is McDonald's (and a large diet coke, please!!! :)) and your favorite dessert can be used to describe quantities such as a "mole" and structures such as the atom (my high school Chemistry teacher loved Twinkies), then chances are that losing fifty pounds by Valentine's Day is not only an unrealistic goal, but one that will make you look worse for having quit. I suppose the second idea that comes to mind is that although the new year is an excellent time to start some aspect of your life afresh, I don't imagine successful people needing the excuse of a "New Year" to wait to improve their lives.

However, I finally have found a resolution that I can justify waiting to implement. I bought a planner! This makes sense--it's realistic, because our purses have enough shit in it that it wouldn't make the slightest difference to carry one more thing around. Therefore, it is also realistic that it can change my life, because writing on the bus or before class starts on something that is within reach just inside my purse can make the difference between "OH SHIT THAT INTERVIEW IS TODAY?!" and "Honey, Happy Anniversary!" (Like I'd ever forget that). Also, I'm justified in waiting because I just spent 7$ on this shit and I'm not going to buy one just for the month of December when they start from January and last a year.

That said, my New Year's resolution is to WRITE SHIT DOWN so I don't look like an asshat for having my schedule all over the place. Every year, my life gets more and more hectic and I've done little to help my poor overwhelmed memory (already raped by equations and Queens Guard counts) cope with added classes, events, clubs, friends, and responsibilities. After missing important events, standing best friends up, and missing a final exam, maybe, just maybe, it's time to actually act upon coordinating my life in a way that makes it easier to keep track of things. I don't feel less capable, and I don't feel like my memory has worsened, but between a full course load at a four-year, work, Queens Guard commandership, a boyfriend, and personal goals, how am I supposed to remember all of the things I need to do when they're swimming around like retarded sperm cells in the midst of all of the turbo-fertile sperm cells that are the deliciously useful and pertinent fluid mechanics equations I just learned?

In addition, it may not be a moleskine--but it's pink and leather-bound! I bought a little pocket-sized Mead notebook to write down things throughout the day. What things won't be relevant to keeping in a planner? Well, any time I drive or contemplate sleeping through a class, I sometimes find inspiration when my mind drifts to the deeper, more satisfying aspects of life that don't quite conform to the rigid movements of the clock's two hands. I want to write down awesome quotes, thoughts, and philosophies that I think of so I can...
...actually write them in this blog!
How 'bout that? Two birds with one stone.

This is a way better gift than those jeans that were SO going to shrink in the wash that I returned to buy this stuff.

Update: Just found out this planner is sold by academic year. D'OH! Better stock up on the next one... -_-